play0:47Lionel Messi reacts to praise from a young Pep GuardiolaLionel Messi watches an old video of a young Pep Guardiola praising his ability for the first time.
Are Inter Miami too dependent on Lionel Messi? (1:44)The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew react to Inter Miami’s stunning 5-1 victory over New York City to claim the Eastern conference MLS Cup title. (1:44)
Lionel Messi reacts to praise from a young Pep GuardiolaLionel Messi watches an old video of a young Pep Guardiola praising his ability for the first time.
Cesar HernandezLizzy BecheranoDec 5, 2025, 09:08 AM ET
MIAMI — Landing at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport two days before Saturday’s MLS Cup clash between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps, two things have been made very clear.
– MLS keeps getting better beyond Messi magic — but no one seems to care – MLS Cup preview: Miami has too much momentum to stop – Vancouver isn’t built around Müller. The Caps are better for it
Call the 38-year-old Messi artistically mainstream, perhaps not pushing the envelope in the way he once did in his halcyon days at Barcelona, but he will still be front and center at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium this weekend. Walking through Florida ahead of the match, it’s obvious who the virtuoso will be in pursuit of another championship in an enviable and lengthy list for the Argentina captain. But doing so also ignores the avant-garde and disrupting newcomers.
Visiting fans are also doing their work. According to Vancouver Southsiders president Peter Czimmerman, nearly 1,000 Whitecaps supporters will be making the trip to Miami. On the flight over, Whitecaps fan Aaron Singh was beaming when talking to ESPN.
For the aesthetically pleasing visitors that love to relentlessly press on the field, who could fault them for feeling confident? In fact, as of Thursday, they’d sold 16,000 tickets to a Vancouver watch party — only 5,000 short of Chase Stadium’s capacity.
On the pitch and heading into the MLS Cup final, Vancouver have only lost once in all competitions since November.
Lionel Messi reacts to praise from a young Pep Guardiola
Lionel Messi watches an old video of a young Pep Guardiola praising his ability for the first time.
Even MLS coach of the year finalist Jesper Sørensen knows that his own trick up his sleeve, a 13-time Bundesliga champion and World Cup winner like Müller, isn’t at the same peak as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner that he’ll be facing.
For any sporting artist, you need plenty of tools under your belt — and Miami have proven to have no lack in their armoire. For Mascherano, amid the weekend’s art scene, it’s no different from calling upon a crafty crew led by the sport’s greatest innovator. “We’re heading into the final with confidence,” the coach said.
Will Messi’s abstract football design be that difference? Will Müller’s chance-creation or goal-scoring mural change the scenery? Perhaps a different name, an emerging artist, can shake up the scene? No matter what, be sure to follow Saturday’s design that will be exhibited at Chase Stadium.
Firstly, Art Basel — one of Miami’s biggest annual events — is in town. Described by organizers as the “leading global platform connecting collectors, galleries, and artists,” the fair has lured in Silicon Valley mega yachts, influencers, A-list celebrities, crypto bros and the like, all of whom have descended upon south Florida for a series of extravagant events. Second, but also just as noteworthy, the greatest artist in the history of soccer, Lionel Messi, will also be showcasing a local exhibit of his own.
Are Inter Miami too dependent on Lionel Messi? (1:44)The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew react to Inter Miami’s stunning 5-1 victory over New York City to claim the Eastern conference MLS Cup title. (1:44)
The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew react to Inter Miami’s stunning 5-1 victory over New York City to claim the Eastern conference MLS Cup title. (1:44)
“It’s the perfect final in my opinion. I appreciate being part of it.”